Driving and Motability
There are over 1 million disabled motorists in the UK. Having your own vehicle through the Motability scheme may be the best option for you. You can either drive it yourself or have someone drive it for you.
Warning Motability leases
If your vehicle lease is coming to an end, Motability will extend this to keep you mobile.
If you do not wish to extend, you can contact Motability who will pick up the car from you.
If your contract has more than 3 months to run, Motability has advised that there is no option to cancel or suspend a contract.
Getting a vehicle through Motability
You can lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme if you’ve been awarded:
- the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for 12 months or more
- the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for 12 months or more
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
You pay to join the scheme using the mobility components of your DLA or PIP. The scheme does not pay for your fuel, but does cover:
- insurance, including tyre and windscreen replacement cover
- breakdown cover
- vehicle tax
If you are not a member of Motability, you will have to cover the costs of owning your vehicle.
Help with the cost of owning a vehicle
You do not need to be a member of Motability to:
Driving lessons
If you are a Motability customer, the charity may pay for up to 40 hours of driving lessons.
Learning to drive (Motability)
If you’re not a Motability member, there is help available from:
Adapting your car
Driving Mobility can assess what kind of adaptations you might need. There are regional driving assessment centres across the UK and many have outreach centres. As well as adaptations, they will also assess your ability to drive.
Ask them to advise you on who can fit your adaptation. You should always get at least 2 quotes on how much it will cost.
Get the VAT (Value Added Tax) back on an adapted car (GOV.UK)
Blue Badges and parking
If your condition means that you find it hard to get around, you may be able to get a Blue Badge. This helps you park nearer to places you want to go.
Apply for the Blue Badge scheme (GOV.UK)
Where Blue Badge holders can park (GOV.UK)
There is no right to appeal a Blue Badge decision but you can ask your local authority to review it.
BlueBadgeParking is a free, crowd-sourced, not-for-profit map of disabled parking around the world.
People's Parking helps disabled people find an accessible car park.
Discuss any aspect of being a disabled motorist in Scope's online community.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 13/10/2020
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